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COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES
It's not what
you say, but how you say it. This expression holds doubly true
when communicating with individuals with dementia.
Alzheimer's disease or related illnesses impair a person's
ability to understand words and to speak. However, they can
still benefit from non-verbal communication—body language, voice
tone and facial expressions. As the individual's ability to
process verbal information declines, the importance of how
caregivers communicate with them, verbally and non-verbally,
increases.
Here are some tips to enhance interactions:
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Remember
that the individual with dementia might be feeling confused,
anxious, irritable and depressed, and suffering from low
self-esteem.
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Speak in
a tone that is calm and reassuring; talk slowly and
distinctly; and use simple words.
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Approach
the individual from the front. It may startle and upset him
if you touch him unexpectedly or draw near from behind.
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Before
asking the individual to do something, address him by name
to get his attention. While you are speaking, maintain eye
contact to help him focus.
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Ask only
one question at a time and allow time for an answer. If he
does not seem to understand, repeat the question using the
same wording. If this does not work, after a few minutes,
rephrase it.
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Allow the
individual adequate time to respond in conversation or when
performing an activity. Rushing will increase confusion.
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If the
individual repeatedly asks a question, keep in mind that he
cannot remember the response you have just given him.
Instead of answering the question after a second or third
repetition, reassure the individual in some way-everything
is fine, you will be with him, you will help him.
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Eliminate
distractions, such as the TV or radio, when talking to the
person with dementia.
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Avoid
statements that sound negative. For example, instead of
"Don't go outside," say, "Stay inside." Use humor whenever
possible, though not at the individual's expense.
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Break
down all tasks into simple steps. Tell the individual one
step at a time what to do. Giving too many directions at
once or too quickly will increase confusion. If the
individual gets upset and becomes uncooperative, stop and
try again later.
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Use
non-verbal gestures, when appropriate, to help convey what
you want done. For example, point to objects or demonstrate
an action, such as brushing your teeth.
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